Growing Capsicum in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kwale is moderately suited to Capsicum. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Capsicum a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kwale County is a solid choice for Capsicum, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Capsicum prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Capsicum, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Capsicum crop here can gross roughly KES 540,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKwale soilCapsicum needsStatus
pH6.765.57OK
Nitrogen0.93 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.8 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium131 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall900 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude200 m0–2,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3, 6, and 9 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 3 applications. Add foliar potassium at fruiting stage for fruit size and quality.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

California WonderMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 75-85 days · 3–4 tons/acre
Large blocky fruits; excellent fresh market demand.
Yolo WonderMedium
East Africa Seeds · 70-80 days · 2.5–3.5 tons/acre
Open-pollinated; reliable yield; tolerant to tobacco mosaic virus.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield in Kwale5,475 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 492,750/acre
Adjusted for Kwale's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Capsicum can reach 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 540,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag